When I lived in Hampton Roads (and was in the Nav) I eventually came on to the following algorithm:
2 layers of good electrical tape 2 layers of coax seal 2 more layers of good electrical tape, each overlapping the under layer.
When I retired from the Navy and took the antennas down, connectors that had been in the air for 15 years looked brand new. An additional bennie, if I had to open one up, just a slit with a knife and I could peel the layers back & get access to the connector. When done, just press back into place and cover with 2 more layers of good tape.
Worked great for me.
Good luck & 73, Jim wb4gcs@amsat.org
On 12/10/2013 2:21 PM, Rich/wa4bue wrote:
I am not a fan of COAX Seal, it tends to migrate into the connector.
In the Hampton Roads area, a NAVY town, we use the old NAVY way:
- Light application of high great Silicon
- Double sided electrical tape rap
- Electrical tape rap
- Spray lacquer over
- Nylon tie on each end
Great seal!
----- Original Message ----- From: "WA6FWF" wa6fwf@sbcglobal.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 1:54 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: why not to buy an M2 antenna
Well I look my antennas over each year but they have always been relatively easy to get at even when they were on a glen martin tower on the roof, I could see every other year if it is a major undertaking but based on his call he is in New York, to think you can put a antenna up and ignore it for years in a area with snow and freezing temps stretches reason.
I'm also a fan of coax seal and some sort of coating on the elements, When I look my antennas over I'm checking for loose bolts and UV damage to plastic parts and coax, out on the west coast it is the Sun and heat that is the thing to worry about.
73 Kevin WA6FWF
On 12/10/2013 10:32 AM, R.T.Liddy wrote:
I'm neutral on this topic, but I was curious if the M2 Manual mentioned anything about maintenance. Here are the instructions:
http://www.m2inc.com/pdf_manuals/436CP30.pdf
There is no mention of maintenance. Of course, it would be a good idea to check things out regularly. But, depending on where the antenna is installed, it could be quite difficult to get to it once it's put up. I can't think of anyone that actually does yearly maintenance on their antennas. My rule of thumb is to anticipate what problems could occur and do what's necessary to avoid them during the initial installation. I always use Coax-Seal and spray the heck out of everything with clear Rustoleum.
GL, Bob K8BL
From: WA6FWF wa6fwf@sbcglobal.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 1:01 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: why not to buy an M2 antenna
Might I ask what sort of preventative maintenance did you perform each year?
73 Kevin WA6FWFOn 12/10/2013 8:46 AM, Lizeth Norman wrote:
Purchased a M2 436CP30. Had a failure of the switching block in less than 5 years. White plastic cracked and allowed water to ingress to the switcher. Customer service?? No return call. Pics on request. Norm n3ykf _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
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